Voltmeter install

[KDS111]

Hello All,
Is it possible and has anyone installed a voltmeter permanently on a 1980 GS850GLT. If so, can you share the steps to install one.There is an idiot light for oil pressure but not for charging. Seems to me it is just as important as oil pressure.
Thanks for all the help.

 

[Guest]

Posplayr is the man to talk to.

 

[spyug]

Very good plan and not hard at all. I put them on all my bikes. There are two types analog (mechanical )and digital ( either with a numeric display or coloured L.E.D.s). Digital would be more accurate but analogs work well enough for us. I have been cheap analogs on my last 2 bikes but recently picked up some cheap digitals from E-bay ( Taiwan). I actually prefer the analog as the digital (with display), I find somewhat distracting as it is too accurate and the numbers change constantly.

Wiring is not difficult. You will have two leads a red + and a black - (duh). As you don't want the power on all the time you need to run the red to a switched source close to the battery. Technically, the power lead should go directly to the battery ( for accuracy) but then it would be on all the time. I plumb mine into the fuse block and gang it to a lead that only powers when the key is on. To find one take your circuit test light and touch the leads ( at the fuse block) with the key in the on position when it lights up you have a potential source. With the key off the light should go off also ( again duh). Join your red lead to this wire.

Take the ground lead from the meter and attach it to a frame point.

Again with the analog meters, while they are not super accurate they are close enough for "government work" and will give you ample warning of charging issues as you ride along.

I would feel naked without one and at least on 2 occassions they forwarned me of a problem when riding.

Take pics when you install yours.

cheers,
Spyug

 

[koolaid_kid]

Any pics, spyug?

 

[KDS111]

Do you have any pics?
Where would you say is the best mounting place?

 

[bonanzadave]

Yes, Its nice to know what youre charging system is doing. This little $25 meter has worked on my bike for several years. I wouldnt get it wet tho.

 

[Steve]

Yes, Its nice to know what youre charging system is doing. This little $25 meter has worked on my bike for several years. I wouldnt get it wet tho.

We have one of those on my wife's 850L. One thing you can do to enhance its water resistance is to spray a couple coats of clear polyurethane on it to seal the joint around the display.

The one on my wife's bike is also under a shelf that I had originally installed for a CB radio so we could communicate with each other and the group (hey, we're Goldwingers). We have since installed a J&M CB on the left side of the handlebar, so that shelf is now used for the GPS and the XM radio.

It's nice to also see the time and temperature at a glance.

Dave, you need to set your clock. :-\\\

.

 

[bonanzadave]

Dave, you need to set your clock. :-\\\

Im in the stop watch function for 1/4 mile runs .

 

[Steve]

Im in the stop watch function for 1/4 mile runs .

Gotcha.

.

 

[Guest]

Yes, Its nice to know what youre charging system is doing. This little $25 meter has worked on my bike for several years. I wouldnt get it wet tho.

Where did you get that meter? I've done a little (OK, very little) searching on e-bay for cheap digiatl voltmeters & they all seem to run $35 - $50.

That one looks nice enough

 

[Larry D]

Where did you get that meter? I've done a little (OK, very little) searching on e-bay for cheap digiatl voltmeters & they all seem to run $35 - $50.

That one looks nice enough

Here's a place. A little cheaper.

http://www.casporttouring.com/cst/motorcycle/14124.html

 

[Steve]

Here's the same thing for just a little more money:
http://www.bigbikeparts.com/Inventory/Navision/4-239?catalogNo=

I only have two complaints about these meters.
1. They are not very weather resistant, but I already mentioned how some spray polyurethane helps that.
2. The backlight is fed by a voltage divider, rather than a constant source. This means that while you are at idle, you might just barely see the display, and while running, it will be plenty bright. However, I have seen several of these meters on different bikes, and the variance in the brightness of the backlight is amazing. Since most of us don't do much riding at night, it's probably not much of a problem. To offset that problem, though, there are the three colored lights that are easy enough to tell whether you are charging or not.

.

 

[posplayr]

For what the show chrome is (non waterproof) I'm pretty happy with mine.

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showpost.php?p=1153650&postcount=172

BTW, I bought some clear shrink tubing that just slipped over the multimeter. I ended up shrinking it too much and it depressed the some of the buttons. I will probably try again but put less heat so it doesnt shrink as much.

Especially when you compare to the price of this top notch Yoshimura item.


http://yoshimura-shop.netmove.co.jp..._chas1_e/c_chas1_e/c_chas2_e/c_chas3_e&d=9842

 

[Steve]

I'm sure it's pretty pricey, but I saw no indication of how much.

By the way, Pos, that boost gauge for boost, or do you use it as an oil pressure gauge?

.

 

[bonanzadave]

I only have two complaints about these meters.

Make that 3. The insulation on the wire is less than fragile. Plan on some kinda chafe sleeve over the wire.

 

[koolaid_kid]

Here is an interesting review on that volt meter:
http://www.webbikeworld.com/r4/motorcycle-volt-meter/

 

[posplayr]

I'm sure it's pretty pricey, but I saw no indication of how much.

By the way, Pos, that boost gauge for boost, or do you use it as an oil pressure gauge?

.

It is oil pressure "BOOST" .

The only thing I coudl find at 0-15 psi and 2 1/8" lighted

 

[Steve]

It is oil pressure "BOOST" .

I was just curious, because I used to have its big brother, the one that went from 30" vacuum to 15 psi boost, in my Corolla.

After installing Stage 2, I had to borrow the manifold pressure gauge out of my Peterbilt, as the VDO gauge was buried at 4,000 rpm.

(Just for those who are curious, peak boost was 22 psi at 6,000 rpm. :dancing: )

.

 

[koolaid_kid]

Geez, a ricer. I only run 14 pounds of boost on my TransAm. But it is peppy.

 

[Steve]

Geez, a ricer. I only run 14 pounds of boost on my TransAm. But it is peppy.

You have a little more to start with.

Mine was a 1974 Corolla S5, with a 1600 engine. If you know anything about early Toyotas, that was a pushrod Hemi engine with two valves per cylinder. Stock was 88 hp at the crank. Stage 1 was 11 pounds of boost, had 192 hp at the wheels. Never got a dyno reading after Stage 2, but it had 22 pounds of boost, as mentioned.

One memorable run was from a stoplight, over a hill that had a few curves, then down to the next light. About a 2-mile run, with a 300-foot climb to the top, then back down. Next to me was a TransAm, with whom I had been "racing" from light to light for the last few miles. I think it was a '77, but it had a "400 cid" sticker on the hood scoop. We just nodded to each other at the last light, then headed up the hill. At the top, his front bumper was even with my back bumper.
When we got to the next light, he rolled down his window to ask me "what the hell you got in there, turbo or nitrous?" I had to admit "turbo", he only shook his head and drove off when the light turned green.

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